Garda ‘made ultimate sacrifice’ to save others
Garda Ciaran Jones was washed away from a rural bridge in Co Wicklow on Monday night as he went to warn motorists about the overflowing river at Ballysmuttan Bridge.
The community at Manor Kilbride, where the garda lived, joined gardaí, army and rescue workers in a major search on Monday night.
His body was discovered at Ballyward Bridge, close to Manor Kilbride, yesterday morning. A postmortem examination will be conducted today.
Garda Jones was off duty at the time and was travelling in a car with his 14-year-old brother, Alan, and a friend.
They both saw him being swept away on the bridge.
His parents, John and Brenda, who were on holiday at the time, flew back to Cork Airport yesterday and made their way to Wicklow to join their other son and daughter Michelle.
Former Wicklow senior county manager Mick O’Dwyer said Garda Jones was a true gent: “He was a walking gentleman. People generally say that when someone dies, but he was an exceptional gentleman, also an exceptional footballer, with great class and skill.”
Chairman of Kilbride GAA club Declan Bealin said Garda Jones was a “shining light” in the club since he was 10.
Pat Mitchell of Wicklow GAA said the new Wicklow manager Harry Murphy spoke to Ciaran about a month ago asking him to come back to the panel, but he could not because of work commitments.
He said they would have a minute’s silence and fly the Tricolour at half mast for the upcoming minor and senior club finals.
Damien McCarthy, the president of the Garda Representative Association, said: “Garda Jones was a spirited, brave and committed young man who risked his life to save others, and in the course of doing so he made the ultimate sacrifice.
“He was one of the most popular members in Stepaside Garda Station and was genuinely loved and respected by the community he served. His colleagues are deeply shocked.”
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